Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of fungal organisms (especially Aspergillus species) in feeds used in poultry farms in Sokoto metropolis. During a period of 12 months (from April 2010 to March 2011), a total of 239 poultry feed samples comprising of 204 commercially prepared feeds and 35 self-compounded feeds were collected from 76 identified poultry farms in Sokoto and environs. Of the total 80 questionnaires administered, 76 (95.00%) were responded to. Out of the total samples, fungal species were isolated from 198 (82.9%) comprising of commercially prepared 163 (79.9%) and self-compounded 35 (100.0%) feed samples. A total of 258 fungal isolates were identified out of which 136 (52.7%) were Aspergillus species. The most prevalent species were Aspergillus fumigatus 80 (58.8%) followed by Aspergillus flavus 56 (41.2%). Since Aspergillus species are among the leading mycotoxigenic fungi, this study reveals that a potential exists for the production of mycotoxins that may be of both veterinary public health significance and its attending economic losses.

Key words: Aspergillus species, Mycotoxicosis, Poultry farms, Poultry feed, Sokoto metropolis